He started out as a country boy, the youngest son, who was out keeping the sheep when the prophet came around. David wasn’t the first one the prophet thought of… in fact he was the last one considered. But he was God’s choice! Then the anointing, an incredible victory over an intimidating foe, and service for an unpredictable, even bi-polar, and demonically influenced king. As a result, there were many years of running for his life… Then the death of the king and the challenge of bringing a divided nation together. God’s incredible blessing and favor, one victory after another, and then temptation and devastating moral failure! The challenges of family life – even the betrayal of a son… Finally, toward the end of David’s life and reign, reflection over the past… What would he say?
Reflection… At 72, It’s becoming more frequent for me… I committed my life to Jesus as a small child, heard God’s call to ministry as a pre-teen, and then years of life and service… I’ve experienced God’s favor, blessing, and some failures. What will I say upon reflection? What will you say when the time for your reflection comes (and it will eventually come for us all!)…
Here’s just a taste of what David said…
“The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence.
“I called on the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies… in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I cried to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry reached his ears… He opened the heavens and came down… He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemies… He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me…
“To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity. To the pure you show yourself pure… You rescue the humble, but your eyes watch the proud and humiliate them. O LORD, you are my lamp. The LORD lights up my darkness… God’s way is perfect. All the LORD’s promises prove true.
“He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. For who is God except the LORD? Who but our God is a solid rock? God is my strong fortress, and he makes my way perfect… You have given me your shield of victory; your help has made me great. You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping…
“The LORD lives! Praise to my Rock! May God, the Rock of my salvation, be exalted !
(From 2 Samuel 22 – This is only a selection from David’s song of reflection. You owe it to yourself to read the whole chapter!)
David’s song reminds me of the words of the song Andraé Crouch penned in reflection…
“I’ve had many tears and sorrows,
I’ve had questions for tomorrow,
there’s been times I didn’t know right from wrong.
But in every situation,
God gave me blessed consolation,
that my trials come to only make me strong.
“Through it all,
through it all,
I’ve learned to trust in Jesus,
I’ve learned to trust in God.
“Through it all,
through it all,
I’ve learned to depend upon His Word.”
A Periodic Reflection on Leadership…
7 7 Personal Life-Transforming Convictions…
Coffee With The Lord 